BBC report by Sarah Smith claiming Nicola Sturgeon 'enjoyed' setting her own lockdown rules led to over 4,500 complaints

A BBC report that claimed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had “enjoyed the opportunity to set her own lockdown rules" led to over 4,500 complaints.

The comments, by BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith during a BBC News at Ten segment last month, was the most complained about item across the corporation’s television and radio channels this year.

The report led to a total of 4,541 complaints to the BBC from people who said it was biased against Ms Sturgeon and the SNP.

Ms Smith was speaking on May 18 on the BBC News at Ten programme when she claimed that Scotland’s First Minister had 'enjoyed' taking a different route out of lockdown from the other countries of the UK.

Sarah Smith later apologised for her comments on Nicola Sturgeon.

She said: "Now the Scottish Government say, like all the UK nations, they base their advice on expert advice that they are given and that it's got nothing to do with politics.

"But it has been obvious that Nicola Sturgeon has enjoyed the opportunity to set her own lockdown rules, not have to follow what is happening in England or other parts of the UK."

Following the broadcast, Ms Smith was the target of abuse on social media with calls for her to be fired.

Responding to the report, Ms Sturgeon posted: "Never in my entire political career have I 'enjoyed' anything less than this.

"My heart breaks every day for all those who have lost loved ones to this virus."

Ms Smith later posted a series of apologies online.

She said: "I do not believe that Nicola Sturgeon is enjoying this crisis. I had meant to say on the ten o'clock news that she has 'embraced' the opportunity to make a policy unique to Scotland.

"I said 'enjoyed' by mistake. Not suggesting she is enjoying the crisis but embracing devolution."

The report followed Ms Sturgeon's announcement that she will look to ease lockdown measures on May 28.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the BBC said: "Following complaints received on remarks by Sarah Smith, Sarah has since clarified her remarks, acknowledged where there were errors and has apologised to the First Minister, who has accepted those clarifications and has indicated that she regards the matter as now closed."

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